(10-28-2021 12:17 PM)UConnHusky Wrote:  

(10-26-2021 08:06 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  All4one, I just hope that you're not Judy in disguise because if you are then cusa is in trouble, er, more trouble. It seems that you just love to add schools that really don't bring a thing to the new conference. UofMass, Uconn for football? That's a laugh. If they brought their basketball then I would personally roll out the welcome mat. But, why would we want those two schools that any of the FCS schools that are being talked about would sweep the football field against. I think it's time for you to go to your own board, you're talking foolish now and you're coming looking like a troll and nothing less.

Well, the reason is that UConn is a national brand that still will draw television eyeballs while nobody will tune in to see a FCS call up whose name they have never even heard. So UConn isn't good enough for CUSA in football, but Kansas is good enough for the Big 12 in football? Both football teams are dumpster fires at the moment (although UConn seems to be burning harder at the moment).

Currently UConn is the absolute worst FBS team in America. #130. 11 years ago, they were in the Fiesta bowl. We are beyond terrible at the moment, but I think that you need to pump the brakes here. Pasqualoni, Diaco, and Edsall 2.0 were terrible decisions by the UConn brass. One good coaching hire could change the narrative.

Regardless, the reality is that UConn would decline a football only invite from any G5 not named the AAC (which is never happening). The money just isn't there in CUSA, Sun Belt, or the MAC for us. We can make more as an independent with our deal with CBSSN and buy games from top tier P5 schools. Also, as an independent, we can schedule P5 schools like BC, Syracuse, Wake, Duke, Ole Miss, Purdue, Indiana, Illinois, etc. to play at our stadium. If we joined CUSA or the MAC, those games evaporate (as does what little fan interest we are maintaining through this dark stretch).

So, you may not want UConn football in CUSA (and I get that). But please understand that UConn wants nothing to do with CUSA (or the MAC) either. UConn will only pick up the phone for the ACC, B1G, or AAC (football only) and those calls are likely never happening. That said, there is no way the ACC or B1G is plucking a CUSA or MAC team ever. But a good independent? That is at least possible. So, Indy it is. We UConn fans also love the future schedules. Great opponents and no midweek games. Why give that up?

Well, UConn is a nice brand....in basketball. Football? No

Also, Kansas wouldn't be in the Big XII, if they thought the league would keep them for football only while their basketball and other sports went to another more profitable league.

UConn is 15 hours from the nearest Last 5 Conference USA members. That's too far for Conference USA schools to have to travel for a program that has no football prestige within the last decade.

The only way UConn or UMass could ever be entertained as football-only members to CUSA is if those schools agree to annual home-and-home scheduling agreements in both men's and women's basketball with select Conference USA schools that would rotate to play UConn or UMass away and at home in both men's and women's basketball.

(10-28-2021 02:30 PM)All4One Wrote:  

(10-28-2021 12:17 PM)UConnHusky Wrote:  

(10-26-2021 08:06 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  All4one, I just hope that you're not Judy in disguise because if you are then cusa is in trouble, er, more trouble. It seems that you just love to add schools that really don't bring a thing to the new conference. UofMass, Uconn for football? That's a laugh. If they brought their basketball then I would personally roll out the welcome mat. But, why would we want those two schools that any of the FCS schools that are being talked about would sweep the football field against. I think it's time for you to go to your own board, you're talking foolish now and you're coming looking like a troll and nothing less.

Well, the reason is that UConn is a national brand that still will draw television eyeballs while nobody will tune in to see a FCS call up whose name they have never even heard. So UConn isn't good enough for CUSA in football, but Kansas is good enough for the Big 12 in football? Both football teams are dumpster fires at the moment (although UConn seems to be burning harder at the moment).

Currently UConn is the absolute worst FBS team in America. #130. 11 years ago, they were in the Fiesta bowl. We are beyond terrible at the moment, but I think that you need to pump the brakes here. Pasqualoni, Diaco, and Edsall 2.0 were terrible decisions by the UConn brass. One good coaching hire could change the narrative.

Regardless, the reality is that UConn would decline a football only invite from any G5 not named the AAC (which is never happening). The money just isn't there in CUSA, Sun Belt, or the MAC for us. We can make more as an independent with our deal with CBSSN and buy games from top tier P5 schools. Also, as an independent, we can schedule P5 schools like BC, Syracuse, Wake, Duke, Ole Miss, Purdue, Indiana, Illinois, etc. to play at our stadium. If we joined CUSA or the MAC, those games evaporate (as does what little fan interest we are maintaining through this dark stretch).

So, you may not want UConn football in CUSA (and I get that). But please understand that UConn wants nothing to do with CUSA (or the MAC) either. UConn will only pick up the phone for the ACC, B1G, or AAC (football only) and those calls are likely never happening. That said, there is no way the ACC or B1G is plucking a CUSA or MAC team ever. But a good independent? That is at least possible. So, Indy it is. We UConn fans also love the future schedules. Great opponents and no midweek games. Why give that up?

Well, UConn is a nice brand....in basketball. Football? No

Also, Kansas wouldn't be in the Big XII, if they thought the league would keep them for football only while their basketball and other sports went to another more profitable league.

UConn is 15 hours from the nearest Last 5 Conference USA members. That's too far for Conference USA schools to have to travel for a program that has no football prestige within the last decade.

The only way UConn or UMass could ever be entertained as football-only members to CUSA is if those schools agree to annual home-and-home scheduling agreements in both men's and women's basketball with select Conference USA schools that would rotate to play UConn or UMass away and at home in both men's and women's basketball.

Agreed

We would be glad to have the UConn brand in football. As a welcoming gift, we are sending you Skip Holtz! I know you are familiar with him and he should bring you plenty of wins, just don't expect any championships! Enjoy!

(10-29-2021 08:34 AM)pilot172000 Wrote:  We would be glad to have the UConn brand in football. As a welcoming gift, we are sending you Skip Holtz! I know you are familiar with him and he should bring you plenty of wins, just don't expect any championships! Enjoy!

They’d probably take any coach who could get them a win right now.

Marshall
WKU
Liberty
Middle Tenn
FIU

UTEP
La. Tech
New Mexico State
Sam Houston State
Missouri State

...If Marshall stays

(10-29-2021 08:46 AM)sstaedtler88 Wrote:  Marshall
WKU
Liberty
Middle Tenn
FIU

UTEP
La. Tech
New Mexico State
Sam Houston State
Missouri State

...If Marshall stays

Matt Brown says Missouri State has removed themselves from consideration..

(10-29-2021 08:51 AM)Tmac13 Wrote:  

(10-29-2021 08:46 AM)sstaedtler88 Wrote:  Marshall
WKU
Liberty
Middle Tenn
FIU

UTEP
La. Tech
New Mexico State
Sam Houston State
Missouri State

...If Marshall stays

Matt Brown says Missouri State has removed themselves from consideration..

Keep on them until they say yes. Missouri State would be a fine add to CUSA.

(10-29-2021 08:51 AM)Tmac13 Wrote:  

(10-29-2021 08:46 AM)sstaedtler88 Wrote:  Marshall
WKU
Liberty
Middle Tenn
FIU

UTEP
La. Tech
New Mexico State
Sam Houston State
Missouri State

...If Marshall stays

Matt Brown says Missouri State has removed themselves from consideration..

link?

(10-29-2021 08:56 AM)Huan Wrote:  

(10-29-2021 08:51 AM)Tmac13 Wrote:  

(10-29-2021 08:46 AM)sstaedtler88 Wrote:  Marshall
WKU
Liberty
Middle Tenn
FIU

UTEP
La. Tech
New Mexico State
Sam Houston State
Missouri State

...If Marshall stays

Matt Brown says Missouri State has removed themselves from consideration..

link?

Hopefully this isn’t true.

https://twitter.com/mattbrownep/status/1...38304?s=21

(10-29-2021 08:56 AM)Huan Wrote:  

(10-29-2021 08:51 AM)Tmac13 Wrote:  

(10-29-2021 08:46 AM)sstaedtler88 Wrote:  Marshall
WKU
Liberty
Middle Tenn
FIU

UTEP
La. Tech
New Mexico State
Sam Houston State
Missouri State

...If Marshall stays

Matt Brown says Missouri State has removed themselves from consideration..

link?

Update: industry sources are now telling Extra Points that while the CUSA target list is fluid, Missouri State is no longer expected to be a candidate.

For some reason the link wont post but it's on his Twitter. @MattBrownEP

(10-29-2021 09:03 AM)Tmac13 Wrote:  

(10-29-2021 08:56 AM)Huan Wrote:  

(10-29-2021 08:51 AM)Tmac13 Wrote:  

(10-29-2021 08:46 AM)sstaedtler88 Wrote:  Marshall
WKU
Liberty
Middle Tenn
FIU

UTEP
La. Tech
New Mexico State
Sam Houston State
Missouri State

...If Marshall stays

Matt Brown says Missouri State has removed themselves from consideration..

link?

Update: industry sources are now telling Extra Points that while the CUSA target list is fluid, Missouri State is no longer expected to be a candidate.

For some reason the link wont post but it's on his Twitter. @MattBrownEP

The same was said about Sam Houston State and SFA yesterday. I am not counting anyone out until the ink is dry.

(10-29-2021 08:46 AM)sstaedtler88 Wrote:  Marshall
WKU
Liberty
Middle Tenn
FIU

UTEP
La. Tech
New Mexico State
Sam Houston State
Missouri State

...If Marshall stays

I doubt they stay in a severely weakened CUSA while the Sunbelt strengthens. They'd rather play ODU, App State, and Georgia Southern than Liberty, UConn, and MTSU.

(10-29-2021 09:55 AM)Ourland Wrote:  

(10-29-2021 08:46 AM)sstaedtler88 Wrote:  Marshall
WKU
Liberty
Middle Tenn
FIU

UTEP
La. Tech
New Mexico State
Sam Houston State
Missouri State

...If Marshall stays

I doubt they stay in a severely weakened CUSA while the Sunbelt strengthens. They'd rather play ODU, App State, and Georgia Southern than Liberty, UConn, and MTSU.

Leaving for the Sunbelt is going to be very costly and long term it may not be the solution. Everyone outside CUSA is rooting for it to die for selfish reasons.

If you pull those 3 for comparison, ODU & UConn play similar quality football, MT & GaSo are similar but MT has been a good partner to Marshall in a much shorter trip, and Liberty has higher commitment to all sports than Appy by far. Plus, there’s WKU…we comparing them to JMU? Please.

Marshall staying in a new smaller CUSA makes more financial & all sports sense.

(10-29-2021 09:03 AM)Tmac13 Wrote:  

(10-29-2021 08:56 AM)Huan Wrote:  

(10-29-2021 08:51 AM)Tmac13 Wrote:  

(10-29-2021 08:46 AM)sstaedtler88 Wrote:  Marshall
WKU
Liberty
Middle Tenn
FIU

UTEP
La. Tech
New Mexico State
Sam Houston State
Missouri State

...If Marshall stays

Matt Brown says Missouri State has removed themselves from consideration..

link?

Update: industry sources are now telling Extra Points that while the CUSA target list is fluid, Missouri State is no longer expected to be a candidate.

For some reason the link wont post but it's on his Twitter. @MattBrownEP

thanks. it would be a loss for both parties if it doesn't happen. but if things remain fluid we will see, rumor had liberty declining but now they are discussing, maybe even negotiating.

(10-29-2021 09:55 AM)Ourland Wrote:  

(10-29-2021 08:46 AM)sstaedtler88 Wrote:  Marshall
WKU
Liberty
Middle Tenn
FIU

UTEP
La. Tech
New Mexico State
Sam Houston State
Missouri State

...If Marshall stays

I doubt they stay in a severely weakened CUSA while the Sunbelt strengthens. They'd rather play ODU, App State, and Georgia Southern than Liberty, UConn, and MTSU.

Correct.

(10-29-2021 10:36 AM)TruBlu Wrote:  If you pull those 3 for comparison, ODU & UConn play similar quality football, MT & GaSo are similar but MT has been a good partner to Marshall in a much shorter trip, and Liberty has higher commitment to all sports than Appy by far. Plus, there’s WKU…we comparing them to JMU? Please.

Marshall staying in a new smaller CUSA makes more financial & all sports sense.

I think CUSA will survive, but it's future will largely depend upon what FCS programs they add, along with current FBS that may want to join.

Adding NMSU sounds ok now to partner with UTEP, but what happens if Boise leaves the MWC for the Big 12? Would UTEP get the invitation to replace them in MWC? Would you then have NMSU alone on an island?

It would seem more sensible to build around WKU, MTSU, FIU , La Tech, and possibly Liberty in a more southern footprint than attempting to rebuild the Texas wing or go to the Canadian border..I keep reading the high travel costs are the exact reason some schools have left. Going far north to the Dakotas or far west would seem to be doubling down on the travel cost problem.

(10-29-2021 10:57 AM)Tmac13 Wrote:  

(10-29-2021 10:36 AM)TruBlu Wrote:  If you pull those 3 for comparison, ODU & UConn play similar quality football, MT & GaSo are similar but MT has been a good partner to Marshall in a much shorter trip, and Liberty has higher commitment to all sports than Appy by far. Plus, there’s WKU…we comparing them to JMU? Please.

Marshall staying in a new smaller CUSA makes more financial & all sports sense.

I think CUSA will survive, but it's future will largely depend upon what FCS programs they add, along with current FBS that may want to join.

Adding NMSU sounds ok now to partner with UTEP, but what happens if Boise leaves the MWC for the Big 12? Would UTEP get the invitation to replace them in MWC? Would you then have NMSU alone on an island?

It would seem more sensible to build around WKU, MTSU, FIU , La Tech, and possibly Liberty in a more southern footprint than attempting to rebuild the Texas wing or go to the Canadian border..I keep reading the high travel costs are the exact reason some schools have left. Going far north to the Dakotas or far west would seem to be doubling down on the travel cost problem.

I’m starting to think the smart move might be to try and encroach on the MAC’s territory. They have a ton of stability but are extremely boring. It seems the southern conferences do not want to take teams in those areas so we might be able to stabilize the conference there.

Potential adds:
Southern Illinois (nice facilities)
Illinois State (nice facilities)
Indiana St (plans for on campus stadium)
Missouri State (nice facilities and plans for more)

(10-29-2021 10:57 AM)Tmac13 Wrote:  

(10-29-2021 10:36 AM)TruBlu Wrote:  If you pull those 3 for comparison, ODU & UConn play similar quality football, MT & GaSo are similar but MT has been a good partner to Marshall in a much shorter trip, and Liberty has higher commitment to all sports than Appy by far. Plus, there’s WKU…we comparing them to JMU? Please.

Marshall staying in a new smaller CUSA makes more financial & all sports sense.

I think CUSA will survive, but it's future will largely depend upon what FCS programs they add, along with current FBS that may want to join.

Adding NMSU sounds ok now to partner with UTEP, but what happens if Boise leaves the MWC for the Big 12? Would UTEP get the invitation to replace them in MWC? Would you then have NMSU alone on an island?

It would seem more sensible to build around WKU, MTSU, FIU , La Tech, and possibly Liberty in a more southern footprint than attempting to rebuild the Texas wing or go to the Canadian border..I keep reading the high travel costs are the exact reason some schools have left. Going far north to the Dakotas or far west would seem to be doubling down on the travel cost problem.

If UTEP had an invite to the mwc they would grab it, of course. If WKU and/or MTSU or LT had an invite to either the MAC or SBC they're gone. FIU ditto.

But UTEP has been told no. The mwc would elevate Houston Baptist first due to their market and recruiting area. It is what it is.

Last suggestion from me...

East:
FIU
MTSU
WKU
Liberty
*Kennesaw State University https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennesaw_State_University

West:
UTEP
LA Tech
NMSU
*Missouri State University https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_State_University
*Lamar University https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamar_University